This fascinating open-air, living museum contains around 150 buildings from
different regions, mostly dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, including
one of Norway's oldest structures, the Gol Stave Church, built early in the
13th century in Gol and moved to its present location in 1885.The visitor will
wander past old banks, pharmacies, post offices, barns and farmhouses and see folk
dancing and weaving and people dressed in festive costumes. The Old Town
section reproduces an early 20th-century town and contains a petrol station and
a general store, and the first thing you'll come across as you step through the
main entrance is a huge display of old toys, costumes, tools and appliances
from around the country. The old buildings here span Norway's history throughout the ages and regions. Indoors,
there's a fascinating display of folk costumes. There are displays of richly
embroidered, colorful bunader or national costumes from every region,
including one set at a Telemark country wedding. The museum also has stunning
dragon-style wood carvings from 1550 and some beautiful rosemaling. The traditional
costumes of the Sámi or Lapp people of northern Norway are exhibited around one of their tents. If one is
visiting in summer, inquire about Norwegian Evening, a summer program of folk
dancing, guided tours, and food tastings. During Sundays in December, the
museum holds Oslo's largest Christmas market.